durango snowbike experience

I took the snow bike class on 2/23/15 with three friends in the middle of a blizzard! Purgatory had received over 20 inches of snow in the previous 24 hours, on their way to over 30 inches in a 48 hour span. We were part of a class of 7 with Donna and Tom that Monday morning, and the snow was so deep that they had to scrap the normal format for the class because we could barely do a thing on the gently-sloping ground of the base area. Both of them told us that in all their years of teaching the class, neither had ever tried to do it in snow that deep! Donna & Tom spent about 90 minutes teaching us the basics and then took us to the top of the mountain to find some groomed or packed snow that we could actually function in. They did a fantastic bit of on-the-job-training with our group as they guided us down the mountain, teaching us the entire way.Once we reached the bottom, Donna & Tom went completely above and beyond: They told our group that since all of the snow had wreaked so much havoc on our morning class, we could all break for lunch and they'd meet us back on the mountain for another guided trip to the bottom - essentially giving us an extra hour of instruction for free!I can't say enough about how much fun it was learning this new skill with them. I now officially consider myself a snow biker, and can't wait to get back up to Colorado to do it again!

Let me tell you about myself first - in 2001 I had a C2-C7 fusion and I was told by my Doctor no more skiing.(Bummer) I was crushed and in mid January 2015 (14 yrs later) I saw some gent riding a snow bike! I said I gotta get me one of those. The following weekend I scheduled my lesson with Mike Sparkman (Sparky) and whoosh what a major blast!!! My cheeks were sore from all the smiling. We have since been back to Purgatory with bike license in hand and no more sidelines I am officially apart of the picture. Thank you Sparky for making me part of the pack! See ya soon! Snowboarders and Skier's ask me if this is fun - HELL YES!!

I had skied for 60 years and during this vacation found it too painful to enjoy due to a need for total knee replacements. With some apprehension, I decided to try snow biking. Donna and Tom were extremely patient- taking extra time to fit the equipment perfectly and then giving me a wonderful experience! In spite of my age and impairments they gave me the joy of knowing I can enjoy a new mountain sport without pain- I loved it ( and them)

My wife and I took snowbike lessons from Mike Sparkman. Mike was fantastic. He was relaxed and excellent at explaining about snowbiking and how to snowbike. My wife is not a radical skier and also needed something that wold not put as much pressure on her knees. I also wanted something that I could take it easier on and enjoy the mountains and watching our kids. Snowbiking and Mike Sparkman were the answer. Mike provided a lot of additional information and input as we went through our lesson. He really seemed to enjoy teaching and being on the mountain and not looking forward to having the lesson over. I have taken lessons in many different sports/events, guided hunts and fishing trips. I will honestly say that Mike Sparkman at Durango Mountain Resort is the best I have experienced.

Donna and Mike are a fabulous teaching team and have helped me fall in love with the sport! It's a ton of fun, and something I will enjoy for years to come!

Snowbike Mike and his wife Donna were amazing. We had such a great time and we will most definitly be doing the snowbikes with them again next year! I went with my boyfriend and his family and him and his little brothers were all very good at skiing and snowboarding so I was afraid I would be left out of the fun or cause them to not have fun having to wait on me because I didn't have any snow sport experience.... So Kevitt and I took the snowbike class and by the end of the class all the boys were having trouble keeping up with me! We were able to go everywhere together! The vacation ended and the boys were sore all over but Kevitt and I didn't have a sore bone or muscle in our body. I can't wait to hit the slopes again!

Donna, the snowbike lady, is absolutely AMAZING! So very patient and kind, couldn't have had a better experience if I tried!! Thanks tons!!

Snow biking is one of the best snow sport expereinces that I have ever had. Easy to learn and easy to master - even with a handicap. Donna and her team at Durango Snowbike are wonderful, patient teachers and very fun to be with. I recommend this to anyone going to Durango. We love it so much, that we plan to go see Donna and snow bike every year.

I discovered Snowbiking at Durango last year. Several friends and I returned to Durango Colorado this year for more fun at DMR. I persuaded them all to try the Durango Snowbike experience. Their skiing skills ranged from expert to beginner. After a brief lesson all were ready for the top of the mountain. The expert skiers ( myself included ) found new ways to challenge ourselves on the bike. The beginners found that the snowbike is much easier to learn than traditional skiing. As always the instructors Donna and Mike were friendly and knowledgeable. The snowbike is muck less fatiguing on muscles and joints than traditional skiing and it is a heck of a lot of fun! I would recommend the Durango Sowbike experience to almost anyone but especially beginners and skiers with joint pain.

Let me start of by saying that I have never skied before this, so this was all foreign to me. Donna the instructor is great. I was amazed at how easy it was to learn how to snowbike. I went with a big group of friends and at the end of the class which is only a couple of hours tops we were off enjoying ourselves. I was worried that I would get hurt or have sore muscles but none of that happened, which is great since I have chronic back pain. I am so happy that I can enjoy the slopes now when I go to Purgatory. Thanks Donna we will see you soon!

After 13 years of skiing in Durango I regret not having done this sooner. Donna is one of the nicest people that I have met and we could not have asked for a better instructor. Being an avid skier I was amazed at how easy it was to learn to ski bike. If your thinking about trying this all I can say is don't think any longer and just do it. I had a great time in Durango this year because of the Snowbike Experience. Cant wait till next year to do it all over again. Thank again Donna, cant wait to see ya next year.

Just returned from my 4th trip to Durango Snowbike Experience in just 2 seasons and getting ready to turn around and head back to Durango for another session of SkiBike fun. I have a really bad back injury which required 3 surgeries. On my 1st trip to Durango I had to sit on the sidelines and watch my buddies ski and have fun because skiing causes me a ton of pain. Once I discovered Donna and Mike and their Brenter Ski Bikes and heard that the ski bikes are great for people like me with chronic back pain I knew it was for me. I cant express how easy it is and how fun it is. Now I can ride with my friends all day with no pain. This past trip I was able to ski bike everyday and my wife who also has back problems was able to snowbike. Donna and Mike will teach you everything you need to know and treat you like family so much so that Donna is my new adopted mom. There are no words to express how great it feels to be able to do this sport with my friends and remain pain free. even my hardcore buddies who ski now enjoy the ski bike. if I can do it anyone can.. so go see donna and mike at the Durango Snowbike experience and tell them their son from texas sent you... And let the fun begin Sean Ft Worth TEXAS

My husband and I have enjoyed snowbiking for the last 3 years. We tried it on a whim and will probably never ski again. Imagine a ski vacation where you have no sore knees or muscles. We love the bike and enjoy a relaxing ski vacation each year (emphasis on relaxing!). The snowbike is very easy to learn and we look forward to biking down the mountain each year. Give it a try - you won't be sorry!! from the other Mike & Donna

I have done the Brenter bike before at Durango Mountain Resort...the first time was for fun. This last time I had a not so great knee so I could not ski. I was however able to snowbike again. LOVE LOVE LOVE it,,,it really allows for much fun. Not sure I will ever go back to skiing,,,,Donna and Mike are fabulous instructors. Highly recommend everyone try the snowbike!!

Add fun to your winter adventure with a day of snow biking in the beautiful San Juan Mountains. You do not have to be a skier or snowboarder, in fact, you need not be a super athlete to enjoy sliding down the groomed slopes of DMR's Purgatory Ski Resort. Easy to learn and inexpensive to rent, ride your snow bike next to your skiing friends... enjoy, have fun, participate in the great outdoors.